Not sure if you have ever been to Wisconsin, but I traveled there in 1982. It was a part of the Bell County 4-H Teen Club exchange program. It was a great experience and I learned all about cheese while I was there. That was 1981; 30 years later it appears that Wisconsin has come to the mountains of Southeastern Kentucky. I would like to say it is a reunion and a welcomed visit, but that is not the situation. The visit from Wisconsin comes in the form of threat of legal action against the Bell County Board of Education unless it ended the mountain tradition and school districts approved practice of prayer before Friday night home football games.
August 23, 2011 was not a good day for local communities nor local traditions. Growing up one of the characteristics that has made America great has been the individualism that each of our communities, counties and cities has held as its own traditions and values. I certainly believe that the mountains of Southeastern Kentucky is welcoming to visitors, we love folks to come and sit a spell, and while we may not always agree with the position of those around us, we understand diversity and its value, but for folks in Wisconsin to object to our way of life, tradition and value that does stink. If some local lawyer wanted to take the case, fine, if local folks don’t agree with prayer, fine, but for a group outside of our community to tell us what to do, well, that just doesn’t sit well!
I prayed in the Kentucky House of Representative in February 2000 as the House Chaplain and I ended my prayer saying, “in the name of Jesus, Amen”. It set off a political firestorm within the media as one legislator complained about my prayer and my use of the name Jesus. My response to the media was that I was a Christian and as a minister of the gospel of Jesus Christ that was the only name I could pray under. I certainly respect the right of folks to pray or not to pray. No one can make anyone bow their heads as is the tradition of most Christians when praying. I respect the right of individuals to not believe in Jesus and I respect their right of folks to worship any god they want to or no god at all if they so choose.
We live in a democracy and that doesn’t mean that the majority rules and whatever they say is the law of the land. Living in a democracy means that we respect the rights of all and we protect those most venerable of abuse or neglect. This responsibility of democracy I take very serious. Why?, because I have found myself in the minority on issues in my lifetime. I have fought for the underdog and I don’t regret for one second taking my public stand for what I believe. Has such decisions come with a price sure, no one ever said if you do what’s right it would be popular or that you would be applauded. The opposite is really true, do what is right and you will more than likely find yourself all alone.
Next Friday night, September 30, students are planning on reciting The Lord’s Prayer in unison. No public address system will be used nor should it be needed. This collective action of uniting into one voice sounds like the perfect thing for students and those attending to do. Exercising individual rights is extremely important and practicing your faith is even more important all the time! The United States Congress opens each session, each day in prayer. The President of the United States of America has a constitutional duty to call upon our Nation to pray as legislated by Congress. The Kentucky House of Representatives and the Kentucky Senate open their duties in prayer and we inaugurate the President, our Governors and swear into office elected officials under the oath, “So help me God”. Our Pledge of Allegiance reminds us that we are a Nation Under God. It might be that you don’t like these facts at all, and I respect that fully, I’m just glad that you have that protect today to disagree and not participate at all if you so choose.
It might be that prayer ends all across the land officially, that our citizens remove every reference of God from all things public but that will never remove Him from my heart. For the record, I think that if Wisconsin can come here and complain about our prayers then it is time to go to Wisconsin and complain about cheese!
Until then
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Saturday, September 17, 2011
Political Correctness or Real love for Country
If you are one that enjoys the new social medias such as Facebook and Tweeter accounts to name just two, you have seen this question asked at least a thousand times, “What were you doing on September 11, 2001?” There were many questions on this topic asked over this past week and folks were posting and re-posting these types of questions as a means to express themselves. As I looked at some of these I felt a sense of what I would call a “robotic American” response. Here in the mountains of Southeastern Kentucky we have always appreciated genuine people. Genuine people are those that say what they mean, mean what they say, are straight shooters in conversation and treat people with respect and honesty. There remains another trait of mountain people that we trace back our roots all the way to the American Revolution. We are a people that are willing to volunteer and to serve our Nation through enlisting and serving our Country in her Armed Services.
Mountain Families have always been a ready supply with their young sons who have answered the call from the Civil War to this latest 10 year undeclared war, called initially the War on Terror. Our Nation united at the experience of 9-11!
In my lifetime, this was the second experience in which I thought the United States of America and her citizens were united in her efforts and sacrifice to serve one another and mankind. In 1976 our Nation was celebrating her 200th Birthday and patriotism. Love for our country was easily seen and there was a sense of pride in where we had come from and excitement about the future of the USA. The world was not exactly a beautiful place, there were wars and rumors of wars and Palestine wasn’t paradise. For those of you who clearly remember the year here is a personal flash back, Barry Manilow wrote “I write the songs” and it went all the way to #1 on Billboard Top 100!
On 9-11 the citizens of our Nation were united because of an act of terror against our citizens like we had never before experienced. The Iranian Hostage Crisis in 1979 that involved the Ayatollah Khomenini . 55 Americans were held hostage for 444 days when the American Embassy was captured but it didn’t have the same impact. 9-11 was in the homeland and not across the seas and around the world as it seemed. The December 7, 1941 attack by the Imperial Japanese Navy at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii was an attack against our armed men and women who serve in our military forces. Unlike 9-11, which was a direct attack against our unarmed civilians, 9-11 galvanized the patriotism of our Nation which was genuine, but ten years later, for many it appears to have faded and become a “robotic America” response.
Political correctness has no place with respect to Patriotism. People should stop at the singing of the National Anthem through respect and appreciation for the bombs that did burst in the air. We should stand at allegiance and attendance in response to the passing of the colors of the United States of America because the stars and bars represent the freedom our country represents and stands for across the world when those colors fly. I am confident that we all know how to read folks and we all understand the spirit of our friends when they say things or when we observe their actions.
The United States of America is the greatest country in the world. We present freedom and democracy and even with our current economic struggles. the USA is still the greatest financial institution in the world. We are a super power no matter who we elect as the President of the United States and love for country should not be highlighted once a year or during a highlighted memorial. Love for country and appreciation for America and all she represents should be lived out in each of our lives daily. Love for our country is found in the symbols our democracy and it lives in our attitudes and commitment to her causes. Sacrifice is a part of freedom and Jesus is a great example for all of us. In Christianity He paid it all.
Until then
Mountain Families have always been a ready supply with their young sons who have answered the call from the Civil War to this latest 10 year undeclared war, called initially the War on Terror. Our Nation united at the experience of 9-11!
In my lifetime, this was the second experience in which I thought the United States of America and her citizens were united in her efforts and sacrifice to serve one another and mankind. In 1976 our Nation was celebrating her 200th Birthday and patriotism. Love for our country was easily seen and there was a sense of pride in where we had come from and excitement about the future of the USA. The world was not exactly a beautiful place, there were wars and rumors of wars and Palestine wasn’t paradise. For those of you who clearly remember the year here is a personal flash back, Barry Manilow wrote “I write the songs” and it went all the way to #1 on Billboard Top 100!
On 9-11 the citizens of our Nation were united because of an act of terror against our citizens like we had never before experienced. The Iranian Hostage Crisis in 1979 that involved the Ayatollah Khomenini . 55 Americans were held hostage for 444 days when the American Embassy was captured but it didn’t have the same impact. 9-11 was in the homeland and not across the seas and around the world as it seemed. The December 7, 1941 attack by the Imperial Japanese Navy at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii was an attack against our armed men and women who serve in our military forces. Unlike 9-11, which was a direct attack against our unarmed civilians, 9-11 galvanized the patriotism of our Nation which was genuine, but ten years later, for many it appears to have faded and become a “robotic America” response.
Political correctness has no place with respect to Patriotism. People should stop at the singing of the National Anthem through respect and appreciation for the bombs that did burst in the air. We should stand at allegiance and attendance in response to the passing of the colors of the United States of America because the stars and bars represent the freedom our country represents and stands for across the world when those colors fly. I am confident that we all know how to read folks and we all understand the spirit of our friends when they say things or when we observe their actions.
The United States of America is the greatest country in the world. We present freedom and democracy and even with our current economic struggles. the USA is still the greatest financial institution in the world. We are a super power no matter who we elect as the President of the United States and love for country should not be highlighted once a year or during a highlighted memorial. Love for country and appreciation for America and all she represents should be lived out in each of our lives daily. Love for our country is found in the symbols our democracy and it lives in our attitudes and commitment to her causes. Sacrifice is a part of freedom and Jesus is a great example for all of us. In Christianity He paid it all.
Until then
Friday, September 2, 2011
Labor Day -- the workers are few
Holidays will begin to fill the calendar as we approach the last quarter of the year. Labor Day is a celebration of the American work force and it was born out of conflict. The action taken by Congress was an attempt to relieve tensions between the government and organized labor. Many Americans look at Labor Day as an end to summer, but that is not the purpose of the holiday, it was designed as a means to recognize and celebrate the organized work force in America.
For those that have been employed by Labor Unions and who have worked for organizations where the employees were associated together through their employment or interest celebrating this weekend will be easy. There was a time where if you had a Union job you were set! In the big cities we think about automobile unions and labor organizations. Electricians and plumbers come to mind, not to mention steel workers, all playing big roles as members in such organizations. Here in the mountains of Kentucky, we think about the UMWA, United Mine Workers of America as a union we all recognize, but there are plenty to go around. Organizations range from teachers unions to individuals who are employed by either the state or federal government.
When I think about the word Labor I also think about things from a Biblical point of view. The Bible encourages labor….and there are great songs of the faith that also encourage us to “work for the day is coming”. There is also that New Testament scripture that lets us know that the harvest is ready, but the laborers are few. This scripture seems to be in a total contrast to the idea that there is a work force that is ready, willing, and up to the task of spiritual labor. When you consider that there are churches on what seems like every corner and normally when you find one, you will discover a band of churches all located in what appears to be a “hotbed” of spiritual activity, why are there few laborers?
Again, from the image of things it looks like we have it going on. We normally have great buildings. Normally they are brick buildings too, they we’re built for specific purpose and for use by the congregation it appears. We have gyms, worship centers, children’s areas and the list goes on. Churches today spend money on radio and television programs and when properly presented with a rightful cause congregations will give money to that purpose to demonstrate their support. All this sounds good doesn’t it, but on a spiritual labor side, things are not so good. Why build buildings that we only use one day a week or at best on a Wednesday and Sunday only. Why do we feel good about having buildings that are members can use but we seldom open them up to the community. Oh, no letters please, I know we don’t open things up to the community because it cost money to build such buildings and it takes money to maintain them too. Yes, I understand, I am just thinking that if we are not using such buildings to win individuals to the Kingdom of God, what good are they and wow, what a good job we have done to convince ourselves we have done and are doing the right thing. Remembering all along, the God’s word says the Harvest is ready, but the laborers are few!
This is Labor Day Weekend, and no doubt there will be many individuals who identify themselves as Christians who will be off to one place or another. For the record there is nothing wrong with Christians taking vacations, going on trips, and relaxing. The is nothing wrong with Christians enjoying themselves but there really is something wrong if we are not a part of the Labor and yet are expecting to be a part of the Harvest.
Our churches are filled with people who can make a difference if they would only be willing to step into the field of services. Our churches have individuals who have been touched by tragedy and have a story of faith to tell, if they would only speak up and share. Our congregations are filled with sinners who can relate to darkness and lost ways, if only we would see ourselves as part of His answer for a lost and dying world. This Labor Day, ask yourself the question what have you done to rest from your labors and then ask what must I do since the laborers are few and the Harvest is ready?
Until then
For those that have been employed by Labor Unions and who have worked for organizations where the employees were associated together through their employment or interest celebrating this weekend will be easy. There was a time where if you had a Union job you were set! In the big cities we think about automobile unions and labor organizations. Electricians and plumbers come to mind, not to mention steel workers, all playing big roles as members in such organizations. Here in the mountains of Kentucky, we think about the UMWA, United Mine Workers of America as a union we all recognize, but there are plenty to go around. Organizations range from teachers unions to individuals who are employed by either the state or federal government.
When I think about the word Labor I also think about things from a Biblical point of view. The Bible encourages labor….and there are great songs of the faith that also encourage us to “work for the day is coming”. There is also that New Testament scripture that lets us know that the harvest is ready, but the laborers are few. This scripture seems to be in a total contrast to the idea that there is a work force that is ready, willing, and up to the task of spiritual labor. When you consider that there are churches on what seems like every corner and normally when you find one, you will discover a band of churches all located in what appears to be a “hotbed” of spiritual activity, why are there few laborers?
Again, from the image of things it looks like we have it going on. We normally have great buildings. Normally they are brick buildings too, they we’re built for specific purpose and for use by the congregation it appears. We have gyms, worship centers, children’s areas and the list goes on. Churches today spend money on radio and television programs and when properly presented with a rightful cause congregations will give money to that purpose to demonstrate their support. All this sounds good doesn’t it, but on a spiritual labor side, things are not so good. Why build buildings that we only use one day a week or at best on a Wednesday and Sunday only. Why do we feel good about having buildings that are members can use but we seldom open them up to the community. Oh, no letters please, I know we don’t open things up to the community because it cost money to build such buildings and it takes money to maintain them too. Yes, I understand, I am just thinking that if we are not using such buildings to win individuals to the Kingdom of God, what good are they and wow, what a good job we have done to convince ourselves we have done and are doing the right thing. Remembering all along, the God’s word says the Harvest is ready, but the laborers are few!
This is Labor Day Weekend, and no doubt there will be many individuals who identify themselves as Christians who will be off to one place or another. For the record there is nothing wrong with Christians taking vacations, going on trips, and relaxing. The is nothing wrong with Christians enjoying themselves but there really is something wrong if we are not a part of the Labor and yet are expecting to be a part of the Harvest.
Our churches are filled with people who can make a difference if they would only be willing to step into the field of services. Our churches have individuals who have been touched by tragedy and have a story of faith to tell, if they would only speak up and share. Our congregations are filled with sinners who can relate to darkness and lost ways, if only we would see ourselves as part of His answer for a lost and dying world. This Labor Day, ask yourself the question what have you done to rest from your labors and then ask what must I do since the laborers are few and the Harvest is ready?
Until then
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